Then the whole assembly rose and led him off to Pilate. And they began to accuse him, saying, “We have found this man subverting our nation. He opposes payment of taxes to Caesar and claims to be Messiah, a king.” So Pilate asked Jesus, “Are you the king of the Jews?” “You have said so,” Jesus replied. Then Pilate announced to the chief priests and the crowd, “I find no basis for a charge against this man.” But they insisted, “He stirs up the people all over Judea by his teaching. He started in Galilee and has come all the way here.” On hearing this, Pilate asked if the man was a Galilean. When he learned that Jesus was under Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod, who was also in Jerusalem at that time.

As I listen to people in our country these days, it is interesting what I hear. For some, I hear them say how they would stand up to tyranny and against injustice. I wonder when this opportunity comes, and it very well may cost them their life, will they actually act as strongly as they have spoken?

We live in a world where, many times, people's word is not their bond. They take the easy path of compromise, over the righteous path of standing for the truth. And so they get what they deserve … they are enslaved to evil among them.

The people in the assembly here had a chance to stand with Jesus, for all of the good things he did to bless them, but they did not. Instead, they cursed him and bore false witness about him.

And Pilate was also repugnant in his response. Not wanting to condemn an innocent man, yet wanting to maintain favor with the people, he washed his hands of Jesus and sent him to Herod. He, instead of standing for justice, deferred it.

Oh Lord, may I be a man who stands by my word to the very end. May I bear your name with pride in the ravenous pits of evil and shine your light amidst the darkest and most horrible places on this earth. Whatever I can do to bring you the most glory, I will do. It is a privilege to represent your name and your love on this earth!